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Tuesday, October 23, 2012

One of the rising stars of the automotive industry has got to be Kia. The Korean automaker’s beautiful designs combined with good powertrains and affordable pricing has got the attention of many customers and hence their sales numbers are continually climbing.

While their current line-up has sedans, hatchbacks, SUVs, crossovers and even a sporty little coupe, they currently don’t offer a convertible.

However, Kia’s vice-president of sales Tom Loveless said at a recent event in California, that the brand is looking at a halo vehicle and will most probably be a convertible.

The idea is being pushed by Peter Schreyer, Kia’s chief designer, who used to work for Audi and designed cars like the original TT coupe and roadster. A convertible Kia could bring this brand some extra attention.

If this project goes ahead remains to be seen, but it won’t be the first production Kia convertible. Back in the mid-1990′s Kia had got the license to reproduce the Lotus Elan (see picture). It was primarily offered in the Asian market and stayed in production for three-years.

The new roadster will be done completely by Kia and given how nice their regular cars are, we can’t wait to see what they would do for their star car.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Korean automobile builders are gaining popularity points at an impressive rate! Their new models are exquisite, and the competitors never expected so much elegance and refinement at such a competitive price! Kia is the undisputed leader in this domain, and proved it once again at the New York Auto Show by unveiling the car that we patiently waiting for a revamping; the Kia Rio sedan and hatchback along with the softly remodeled Soul 2012.

Kia can be proud of its new line up! After the Sorento, the Sportage, the Optima, the Forte, the Forte 5, the Forte Koup, the Rondo and the Sedona, the Rio completes the 2011 family. And it deserves a moment under the spotlight! The sub-compact market is an increasingly popular one in Quebec and the Rio, both the sedan and the hatchback models, is a huge hit, offering a wide range of characteristics that should satisfy its customers. Primarily so thanks to the spatial improvements the model underwent and its rejuvenated look with more sculpted lines, a thinner radiator-like grill (a new characteristic already noticed in the other models) and its more dynamic looking headlights. But also thanks to its wide range of accessories and to its fuel efficiency.

Designed with a longer, wider and lower platform than the previous generation, the car is also lighter, therefore increasing its handling.

The model will be made available in three versions: the LX, the EX and the SX (Rio and Rio5) offered with a GDI engine equipped with four cylinders of 1.6 liters reaching 138 hp, 28 more than the 2011 model.

Both a standard and a 6-speed automatic transmission are offered. An interesting new component that should eventually be made available on all cars is the system that commands both for the engine to be turned off when in traffic and for it to start up again on its own once the break pedal is released, allowing for a considerable fuel economy. The car also features Hill control start and electronic stability control.

The basic LX model is very lightly equipped but the EX version offers a fairly acceptable range of accessories for a car of its category. Electric-command windows, Bluetooth connectivity and leatherette door trimmings are part of the standard equipment. The SX offers even more with metal pedals and trimmings, leather decorations, a speed regulator, Microsoft’s UVO entertainment system equipped with a rear-view camera and chrome-plated accents. Obviously, for 2012, music can be fed through any USB or MP3 support or via the satellite radio. Additional options such as the convenience-groups Eco and Premium are available for an even more personalized touch.

It is therefore a brand new Rio ready to face competition that will be introduced in Canada towards the end of 2011!

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

IRVINE, Calif., May 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- On the heels of back-to-back all-time record monthly sales for Kia Motors America (KMA), the 2011 Sorento CUV and 2011 Sedona minivan earned the top scores in the SUV and Van categories in NADAguides' annual "Best Car Buys for 2011." The U.S.-built*2011 Sorento has been Kia Motors' best-selling vehicle for 16 consecutive months and received high marks for its five-star crash safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), outstanding fuel economy, low depreciation and competitive price. The Sedona was praised for its long list of standard equipment, low starting price, and improved horsepower, and with the popular and fuel-sipping 2011 Soul urban passenger vehicle finishing in the top three in the Wagons category, Kia Motors was one of only four automakers to place three or more models on the report across multiple categories.

"Our design-led transformation has fundamentally changed consumer perception of the Kia brand, and the inclusion of three of our vehicles in NADAguides' Annual 'Best Car Buys' report is further validation that Kia's commitment to bringing a comprehensive lineup to consumers that feature a compelling combination of design, performance, safety, fuel economy and value is resonating with more and more new car shoppers," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. "With year-to-date sales up more than 40 percent over 2010, interest in the Kia brand has never been higher as consumers turn to our fresh new products like the Sorento CUV and Soul that not only offer class-leading features but are backed, like the entire Kia lineup, by our industry leading 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty(2)."

The NADAguides Best Car Buys Report is based upon specific criteria important to automotive consumers including price, first year depreciation value, fuel efficiency, warranty coverage and NHTSA safety ratings. NADAguides' analysts developed a calculated study in which all current model year vehicles are analyzed and the top three vehicles within each vehicle segment are then named to the NADAguides Best Car Buys.

About the 2011 Kia Sorento

The 2011 Sorento, the first vehicle to roll off the line at Kia's new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia, encompasses both the brand's signature design cues as well as its distinct combination of value, safety and style. The 2011 Sorento, which has been Kia's best-selling vehicle each month since going on sale in January 2010, offers consumers a well-equipped, well-appointed CUV, suited perfectly for the fun, dynamic and discerning driver. Available in LX, EX and SX trim levels, the 2011 Sorento features a starting MSRP of $22,395(3).

About the 2011 Kia Sedona

The 2011 Sedona is available in LX and EX trims, with pricing for the LX starting at $24,595(3) and the EX trim starting at $29,195(3). A segment leader in value and safety features, Sedona offers consumers invaluable protection provided by a wide range of standard safety features, including six standard airbags(4) (dual advanced front and front seat-mounted side air bags, and full-length side curtain air bags for all three seating rows), active front headrests, and a four-channel, four-sensor, Antilock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), which takes into account vehicle load and weight distribution in order to apply the appropriate-level of stopping force.

About the 2011 Soul

Available in four trims, Soul, Soul+, Soul! (exclaim) and Soul sport, pricing for the dynamic compact CUV begins at $13,300(5) for the base trim, offering standard convenience features, including air conditioning, power windows, door locks and mirrors, SiriusXM™ Satellite Radio capabilities with three months complimentary service(6) and MP3 connectivity.

Soul has earned a trophy case full of prestigious awards and accolades since its launch, including earning a "Top Safety Pick" from IIHS, being a recipient of the "Best Family Cars for 2010" designation by Edmunds.com and Parents Magazine, recognized as "Best Hatchback of 2010" by Cars.com, and "Best New Car for Your Teen" by Kiplinger's Personal Finance.

Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 730 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA." In 2010, KMA recorded its best-ever U.S. sales and 16th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, safety features and new technologies.

Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its Web site – www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.

About NADAguides

NADAguides (www.nadaguides.com) is the largest publisher of vehicle pricing and information for new and used cars, classic cars, motorcycles, boats, RVs, and manufactured homes. NADAguides offers in-depth shopping and research tools in addition to the most market-reflective pricing available. The company also produces software, mobile applications, raw data, web services, web-syndicated products and print guidebooks.

* Assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

(6) SIRIUS, XM and all related marks and logos are trademarks of SIRIUS XM Radio Inc. and its subsidiaries. SIRIUS Radio requires a subscription, sold separately after 3-month trial subscription included with vehicle purchase. Prices and programming are provided by SIRIUS and are subject to change. Subscriptions governed by SIRIUS Terms & Conditions available at sirius.com. SIRIUS Radio U.S. service available only to those at least 18 years of age in the 48 contiguous United States, D.C. and Puerto Rico (with coverage limitations).

Monday, October 1, 2012

The face lifted seven-seater 2013 Kia Sorrento will go on sale in December 2012, with a new 2.4 litre direct-injection petrol engine being amongst the enhancements.

The revised Kia Sorrento is available with one petrol engine and two turbo diesel units – the petrol unit is a 2.4 litre Theta II GDI engine which produces 192 PS and 242 Nm of torque. On the combined cycle the fuel consumption is recorded as 32 mpg.

Our choice would be the 2.2 litre diesel engine which produces 197 PS and 436 Nm of torque, so not only is it more powerful than the petrol unit, it is quicker and fuel consumption is more respectable. The CO2 emissions are lower at 153 g/km compared to 202 g/km of the petrol unit.

There is a smaller 150 PS 2.0 litre diesel that produces 382 Nm of torque with CO2 emissions of 159 g/km, there seems to be little benefit in it over the 2.2 engine with fuel consumption being higher at 46 mpg to the 2.2’s 49 mpg.

The 2.4 GDI and 2.TCI are available with either a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox, where the 2.0 TCI is only available with a 6-speed manual transmission. All engines are available with either 2WD or 4WD depending on the model.

The 4WD drivetrain is an 'on demand' system that delivers 100 per cent of engine torque to the front wheels during routine city and highway driving. Whenever a front wheel loses grip up to 50 per cent of the torque is automatically transferred to the rear wheels. In severely slippery conditions the driver can select Lock Mode, which delivers 50 per cent of torque to each axle.

Access to the cabin has been improved by the 10 mm lower ride height. The cabin floor has also been lowered, increasing legroom by 30 mm (second row) and 9 mm (third row).

There have been a number of enhancements to both the interior and exterior - New front and rear bumpers now feature unconventional upright fog lights. There is a new front grille and headlamps with LED positioning lights, and a new tailgate with reshaped LED combination lamps. Depending on model, the Sorento's updated styling is completed with 17-, 18- or new 19-inch alloy wheels.

On the inside there are more soft-touch surfaces - with a satin chrome finish for the door handles, air-vent surrounds and switches - plus a new LCD instrument cluster, new centre stack with seven-inch LCD display screen and a new centre console featuring (on automatic transmission models), a straight-gate selector with a leather-booted lever.

Kia have spent a lot of time with revisions to the bodyshell ensure it meets the latest official crash test standards, the existing Sorento was awarded a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating – the new model promises to improve on this, especially as the tests are now more stringent – a key feature being that the bodyshell’s rigidity has been increased by 18 per cent.

The revised Kia Sorento will be equipped with up to six front, side and curtain airbags. All Sorentos will be fitted with an active bonnet which raises the rear edge during a collision to reduce the severity of pedestrian injury.